Christmas 2014

What a wonderful Christmas we had!  Not only did we get a chance to have a lot of fun with friends during the days prior to Christmas, but the kids had several opportunities to perform acts of service for others.  We try every year to make the Savior central to our Christmas celebrations throughout the month, and this year all the kids seem to respond so well!  It made the month especially sweet.  The kids were challenged at church to perform acts of service all month long, and they did!  I was always so pleased when I saw them doing a little extra, or volunteering to help each other.

Our ward Christmas party was held earlier in the month, and the boys were too busy running around to notice that Santa came.  Lyvie was the only one who got a chance to sit on his lap.  I didn't even bother with Max because experience has taught me that that only tears and trauma.

 On the 22nd we held our now annual Christmas Movie Party!  It is complete chaos, but I really enjoy having the kids' friends over.  Having it in our little rental, made me especially excited for our new house and the extra room we will have to party it up!  We watched Arthur Christmas and decorated cookies and had TONS and TONS of popcorn!

On Christmas Eve we celebrated with our friends the Lancasters and the Bolles, at their home.  We are so blessed to have great friends, and as we are now calling Yakima home - I am especially grateful for the good people that live here.    After dinner, we came home and read the Christmas Story in Luke around the Christmas tree, and talked about the gift of our Savior.  Then the kids opened their Christmas Pack - a new idea we started this year.  They get pjs and a game/movie or book.  They though it was pretty sweet!

Then it was off to bed….

 Christmas morning started at 5:17 a.m. The boys couldn't resist any longer, so we decided to do two rounds of Christmas.  They opened their gifts while Lyv and Max slept in.  It was actually kind of nice because it wasn't so chaotic with just two at a time.

 Sam got the Harry Potter Series, a spark scooter, and a basketball hoop for his bedroom door.

 Jack got a new iPod shuffle (to replace the broken one from last year:), the Magic Treehouse books 1-12, and a Lego Chima set.

 As a family we draw names, including Shawn and I to buy gifts for.  I had Sam's name and got him a duffle bag and a West Valley Rams hoodie!

 Shawn had Jack's name and got him his very own baseball bag!  He was pumped!

 At 7:30 Lyvie and Max finally woke up and were more than ready to open their gifts.  Lyv asked for a scooter, a My Little Pony, and a bike helmet!

 Max didn't really "ask" for anything this year, so he got a new train to go with the train tracks that he has fallen in love with recently, and a new blanket for his bed at the new house.

 Lyv had Shawn's name and her gift led him to a present underneath her bed… a tool work station for the garage!

 Jack bought Max a dry erase board - which has been a good and bad present!  I will just say, thank heavens for magic erase pads!

 Sam bought Lyv a princess Lego set, and she loved putting it together.

 We spent the rest of the day playing with our new toys, watching movies, and eating a lot of good food!  Crab legs for dinner can't be beat! We also got to talk with all of our family and I am eternally grateful for each member of my family.  They have been such an influence for good in my life.  We are looking forward to New Year's in St. Anthony and a chance to spend time with family.